Where to get plants?

[mcps95]

Is anyone as surprised as I am that out of all the LFS and chain stores around, Petco seemed to have the best looking and least expensive plants?

The LFS I frequent, which I must say has the best looking livestock I've ever seen and is now the only place I'd ever consider purchasing fish, had a large selection of plants, but they didn't look to be in the greatest condition and were rather expensive (at least double that of the local Petsmart and Petco stores). While I've heard that Petsmart is generally a poor source for plants (often contaminated and in poor condition), does Petco have the same reputation? The Petco plants were not separated at all, but instead all placed in one large open display tank, and I'd probably expect the staff there to be unfamiliar with the types and nuances of each species. However, they did seem to be in the best condition, by far.

So I'm sort of torn as to where I should purchase my plants. Any insights?

Mike

 

[djlen]

Keep looking around Mike. In a town the size of Boston, there has got to be at least one decent LFS. Most employees at Petsmart/Petco have no clue about plants, their care, or even if they are true aquatics.
You can always use one of the reputable on-line sites, or Aquabid but I would continue the search for a full service LFS nearby.

Len

 

[Samala]

Well, I'd love to tell you that I only support my local LFS's by purchasing their extremely overpriced plants.. but I just can't. The Petsmart and Petco in my area both have a decent selection of plants, and prices are good. They have no idea what they've got though, and that's often the problem. (Often the LFS's dont either...) On occassion I find little beauties in their open top display tank and grab them. I will say I only buy plants from these particular stores because they are the rare Petco/Petsmart that do a decent job of taking care of their livestock (I find little to complain about).

In fact, the past month or so has been great.. I got two huge Anubias barteri nana for $1.00 each, Anubias afzeli for $1 - the best thing about these buys is that the girls in Petco were soooo clueless they gave me very large nice peices of Mopani wood for FREE because it happened to be attached to the Abubias specimens. "It's just to hold it down, throw it away when you get home." Hahaha! I also bought Lilaeopsis for $2 and about 40 Vallisneria var. corkscrew for $2. I feel bad about it while I'm in the store.. but I'm all smiles when I get out.

>Sarah

 

[evald]

I live in a large metropolitan area and have had a hard time finding plants at the LFS's in the area. Granted I have not been to every one but the ones that I have been to seem to have a limited selection of lackluster pricey plants or no selection at all. Like Sara, I to happened upon a Petco that had good looking plants at good price (although none of them had name labels and the guy who waited on me didn't have a clue.) If anyone knows of a good source for plants in the Atlanta Metro Area or a good online or mail-order source. would you please share it with me?

Cheryl

 

[geoffgarcia]

Petco seemed to have the best looking and least expensive plants, they did seem to be in the best condition, by far.

it was most likely plant delivery day

 

[Samala]

Cheryl, a good mail order place that I love (and I've had at least three shipments from them, so they're quite consistent).. http://www.aquaticplantdepot.com. Shipping isnt too horrible as far as price and there's no minimum order amount, which is nice.